It’s part 2 of Peppersauce Canyon and vicinity (south of Oracle, Arizona, on the northeast side of the Santa Catalina Mountains outside Tucson), featuring “not birds:”
After a nice outing in the canyon, it was time for a short drive up the Mt. Lemmon road as far as local spelunking hotspot Peppersauce Cave. (Road conditions past Peppersauce Canyon/campground: horrible. Recommend SUV/OHV only.) From above and south of the canyon, lovely views to the east of San Pedro Valley:
Peppersauce Cave is located a short distance up a small side ravine about 2.2 miles past the campground/canyon, with enough room for parking along the side of the road. Head down into the ravine then upstream for thirty meters or so to the interpretive sign:
Unfortunately, BirdingPI.com’s insurance policy does not allow staff members to engage in dangerous activities like cave exploration. Still, an interesting place to visit. (If you intend to enter the cave, be sure to bring several light sources as per recommendations.)
Very glad the Team Leader didn’t try to go into the cave. Rumors have it that he is afraid of bats!
Everyone should be cautious around bats due to rabies, as we learned while visiting Tucson.